In the corporate world, we're often required to write an annual appraisal of our performance. I know that attitudes to this process can vary wildly between companies, but it almost always fills it’s participants with dread.
For example, in some businesses it's a celebration of achievements throughout the year, for some it's your boss working through a checklist and scoring you against each point, and in others the boss seems to pluck a performance mark out of the air. For many individuals, the end result of the appraisal directly impacts their eligibility to receive a bonus at the end of the year.
So how can I speak to you about your annual appraisal when all your processes will be different? This year I've decided we should claim that process back and make it more about YOU. I've been sat here wracking my brains to remember if anyone has ever said to me that they enjoy writing their appraisal. I'm pretty confident they haven't.
The closest to positivity I've heard is that it creates a sense of satisfaction to reflect back on what we've achieved during the year. So today I'm going to grasp that seed and build on it.
Here are some ideas to get you thinking about how you can maximise the value of your appraisal this year:
1) Firstly, what's in it for you? Remind yourself why your particular company does this (and ignoring the benefit to them for the moment) write down what benefit it brings you.
2) Decide what you want from the conversation in advance and share a short agenda with your boss. Yes some bosses will take over a conversation like this, but if you have a clear outcome in mind (e.g. you want feedback on a specific piece of work or recognition for a project) you're more likely to get it.
3) PREPARE. Find out what they want from you and make it easy for yourself. If they want 5 examples of how you've met your objectives, bring your best 5. Turning up without prep because you 'didn't have time' just looks unprofessional - particularly if your peer group have managed it...
4) Use it as an opportunity to get clarity from your boss on expectations for next year - what's going to be important, key priorities, key stakeholders.
5) Ask for something you want. E.g. an introduction to a new mentor they know, responsibility for a piece of work that interests you, funding for training in 2021. A successful performance year is a platform to ask for something that helps you grow even more next year.
Above all, this is an opportunity to celebrate what you've done. As we approach the end of the year, I'll be sharing a few ways you can do this in your personal life, which will often include career highlights. So why not consider your appraisal a head start?
Taking the time to reflect on your year - what's gone well and what you could do differently - will set you up well for the year ahead. So if you're dreading the write up, know that a mindset flip is available to you and make the process work for you this year.
P.S. It's easy to think of annual appraisals as boring corporate processes - so this week we're talking about how to maximise the value to you personally.
P.P.S. There's 2 ways you can currently work with me:
1) A two hour breakthrough NLP session
2) A one to one session coaching programme over 4 weeks.
All phone based. When you're ready, email me and we'll agree which approach best serves your goal.
Above all, this is an opportunity to celebrate what you've done. As we approach the end of the year, I'll be sharing a few ways you can do this in your personal life, which will often include career highlights. So why not consider your appraisal a head start?
Taking the time to reflect on your year - what's gone well and what you could do differently - will set you up well for the year ahead. So if you're dreading the write up, know that a mindset flip is available to you and make the process work for you this year.
P.S. It's easy to think of annual appraisals as boring corporate processes - so this week we're talking about how to maximise the value to you personally.
P.P.S. There's 2 ways you can currently work with me:
1) A two hour breakthrough NLP session
2) A one to one session coaching programme over 4 weeks.
All phone based. When you're ready, email me and we'll agree which approach best serves your goal.